Dundee rockers play fundraising gig after drummer faces cancer

Bravado member Alan was struck with bowel cancer this year

A Dundee rock band has announced a charity gig in aid of Macmillan after the charity helped their drummer who was struck down with bowel cancer.

Bravado drummer Alan McWilliam, 55, was diagnosed in June after struggling with severe stomach pains.

With Alan now recovering after three rounds of chemotherapy, he has launched a comeback gig to give back.

The band had just finalised new album Cascadia and were set to tour Scotland to promote the release when Alan, known as Big Yin, was admitted to hospital in June.

The five-piece rock outfit were set to play gigs in Dundee, Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow but had to draft in three drummers to replace Alan just one week before the tour.

The band will perform at the Function Suite on St Andrew’s Lane, Dundee, on Friday November 1, with all proceeds being donated to Macmillan.

Alan’s cancer diagnosis was tough on the band, whose members watched his rapid weight loss as he struggled to get through performances due to severe pain.

Bravado guitarist and songwriter Paula Knight, 44, said touring without Alan was difficult.

She said: “Alan is doing much better after three rounds of chemo but wanted to give back to Macmillan who helped him so much.

“He also felt a bit cheated that he never got to do any of the album launches he’d worked so hard on recording.

“Therefore he came up with the idea of a post-album launch to raise funds.

“We really missed Alan on the tour, he is such a big personality so it just wasn’t the same, and we’re so glad to have him back.”

Alan recorded drums on 13 new tracks on the record, so finding a replacement to learn the songs in a week was a challenge.

Baz Montgomery joined the group in Blairgowrie and Dundee, Garry McKay covered Glasgow and Edinburgh, and Shaun Garrigan performed at a final Edinburgh show.

The band will be joined by support acts Blush and Speckled Doves.

Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased on the door. Doors open at 7.30pm.

Drummer Alan McWilliam had to miss the launch tour of the band’s album.